The event will be livestreamed
Jon Bon Jovi will be one of the inaugural inductees into the new Count Basie Walk of Fame. The Walk of Fame is part of the 16-month centennial celebration for the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank, New Jersey.
The induction ceremony is scheduled to take place on Thursday, September 25th, at 11 am and will be livestreamed via the venue’s Facebook page. Bon Jovi is confirmed to attend. The other inaugural inductee is the legendary jazz musician William James “Count” Basie himself, a Red Bank native for whom the venue is named.
Bon Jovi has a long history with the Count Basie Center for the Arts, having performed there numerous times. Additionally, his philanthropic organization, the JBJ Soul Foundation, operates the nonprofit community restaurant JBJ Soul Kitchen, which is located within walking distance of the venue.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is a non-profit performing arts center with a rich history that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building first opened on November 11, 1926, as the Carlton Theater, a vaudeville and movie house. After falling into disrepair, it was purchased and reopened in 1973 as the Monmouth Arts Center. In 1984, it was renamed the Count Basie Theatre to honor the legendary jazz musician William James “Count” Basie, a Red Bank native, who had passed away that year.
In 2018, the venue changed its name to the Count Basie Center for the Arts to reflect its expanded mission beyond just the main theater. The main theater itself was renamed the Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre. A multi-million dollar expansion in 2020 added a second performance space, The Vogel, and the Grunin Arts and Education Building.
The center is dedicated to providing diverse artistic and cultural experiences, and it has a robust arts education program that serves thousands of students each year.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts is a vital hub for culture and entertainment in the region, attracting over 300,000 patrons annually and continuing to play a significant role in the community. Over the years, the venue has hosted a wide range of famous artists, including Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Tony Bennett, and Ringo Starr.
